James Worthy, representing the Lakers at the NBA draft, says Derek Fisher has 'coaching characteristics.'

James Worthy can envision a scenario where Phil Jackson coaches the Knicks but not before he gives someone such as Derek Fisher a shot.

“If he hires a coach and things aren’t working out I can see Phil coming down to coach,” Worthy said on Wednesday. “Pat Riley came down and won a championship in Miami. I still think Phil can travel. I know there are rumors that he doesn’t want to travel as much. But I think there is a strong possibility that he would coach, especially if things aren’t working out. That’s my own personal opinion because I’ve seen Pat Riley do it.”

Worthy, the Hall of Fame Lakers forward, works for the club as a broadcaster and represented the Lakers at Tuesday’s NBA draft lottery in Manhattan. He knows both Jackson and Fisher well and understands why Jackson would be interested in the former Lakers point guard.

Fisher is regarded as a top candidate to coach the Knicks, but Jackson cannot interview him for the position until after Oklahoma City’s season ends. The Thunder trails San Antonio 1-0 in the best-of-seven Western Conference finals. Jackson had targeted Steve Kerr as his No. 1 choice but Kerr instead signed with the Golden State Warriors and had his introductory press conference on Tuesday.

“When you look at Phil’s choices, Steve Kerr and now Derek Fisher, I can only think those are guys that Phil knows, he trusts, they run his system and they understand how he thinks,” Worthy said. “It’s probably why Phil is going after someone like that.”

Both Worthy and Denver Nuggets coach Brian Shaw, who played and worked under Jackson in Los Angeles, believe that Fisher can make the immediate transition from playing to coaching just as Jason Kidd did last year.

“Derek’s a really smart guy, a good locker-room guy and one of the only guys that can really control Kobe (Bryant),” Worthy said. “He gave the Lakers stability. He has coaching characteristics. When you look at what Jason Kidd has done and with these young kids coming right out of college, I think a lot of teams are looking for younger guys. I think younger guys know how to relate. I think Derek Fisher would be exceptional at that. Even if he didn’t really know the X’s and O’s right away he can compensate with the experience he has.”

Shaw, who has completed his first season with the Nuggets, has been mentioned as a possible candidate. The one issue is that if Jackson tried to hire Shaw he would likely have to compensate Denver with a player, draft pick and/or cash. Shaw reiterated on Tuesday that he is happy in Denver and claims that he has not spoken with Jackson regarding the Knicks’ vacancy. Instead, he threw his support behind Fisher, saying that the veteran point guard will be “great.”

“He’s a natural leader as evidenced by all the years he played and just how important he was to all those teams,” Shaw added. “I think it is something that will come natural to him. It will be seamless for him.”

Also on Tuesday, TNT broadcaster Reggie Miller said during a conference call that his former Pacers teammate and longtime friend Mark Jackson deserves at least an interview with Phil Jackson.

“He certainly should get an interview going off his resume,” Miller said. “He certainly should get an interview. I’m not saying he should get the job if Phil wants someone whom he’s familiar with and understands (the) Triangle (offense). Certainly Mark Jackson should get an interview. He’s born and bred in New York, knows the media landscape, was Rookie of the Year. He knows the city, the climate. That should warrant at least an interview.”

Phil Jackson has given no indication that he would consider talking to Mark Jackson or if the New York product is even a candidate.